Cleaning Out the Closets
To live a life of integrity, we must identify and confront our shameful behavior, cultivate clean speech, and set a high standard for ourselves, considering how our actions would be perceived by Jesus.
The preacher delves into the concept of maturity in the Christian faith, emphasizing the idea of being complete and fully developed in contrast to elementary knowledge. The goal is Christlikeness, with Jesus being the perfect example of faith and the one to emulate. The sermon highlights the importance of progressing in faith, not remaining stagnant in foundational teachings, and striving towards spiritual growth and perfection as commanded by God.
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Another question to put to yourself is, "Do I have any habits I am ashamed to let anybody know I have? Have I any personal habits that I am ashamed of? Do I hide something when the pastor is coming? If everything were known in the church about how I lived, would I go back to church?" You can dodge this, twist it around and answer evasively, but the snow will lie on your heart. If you answer God honestly and go to work to get rid of it and clean it up, springtime will come for you. Then ask yourself, "Is my speech clean?" One of the most shocking things in the church is the dirty-mouthed Christian who always walks on the borderline.
There is no place for borderline stories that embarass some people, and there is nothng about sex or the human body that is funny if your mind is clean.
There was once a gathering of officers, and George Washington was present in the room. One of the young officers began to think about a dirty story that he wanted to tell, and he got a smirk on his face. He looked around and said, "I"m thinking of a story. I guess there are no ladies present." Washington straightened up and said, "No, young man, but there are gentlemen." The young officer shut his mouth and kept the dirty story inside his dirty head and heart. Anything you could not tell with Jesus present, do not tell. Anything you could not laugh at were Jesus present, do not laugh at.
Sermon Outline
- Cleaning Out the Closets
- The Importance of Clean Speech
- Living with Integrity
- Setting a High Standard
- Considering Jesus' Presence
Key Quotes
“Anything you could not tell with Jesus present, do not tell.” — A.W. Tozer
“Anything you could not laugh at were Jesus present, do not laugh at.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Identify and confront your shameful behavior, and work to change it.
- Cultivate a clean mind and speak in a way that is respectful and honoring to God.
- Set a high standard for yourself and consider how your actions would be perceived by Jesus.